This year's Eurovision Song Contest 2016 will be hosted in Sweden.

Each year, the previous years winner hosts the European songfest – and Mans Zerlmerlow with the song Heroes won it for the Swedes.

There's a revamped voting system, some previously absent nations returning and a special guest country makes another appearence.

And if you're a Eurovision aficionado, you might notice some familiar faces back again.

42 nations will compete it out in Stockholm for the glory and prestige that comes with success in this now global singsong.

For everything you need to know about Eurovision 2016 , read on below...

When does the competition take place?

Coverage of the show starts in the UK on BBC One and online from 8pm.

Who will host?

Comedian supreme Petra Mede , who previously hosted in 2013 when the show was held in Malmo - thanks to Loreen's stunning win - will be fronting the event again.

The brilliant presenter will be joined by last year's winner Mans Zelmerlow, something that echoes last year's competition when reigning champion Conchita Wurst took on co-hosting duties in Vienna.

Hailing from Sweden, Petra has made a name for herself as a television presenter and actor so it's sure to be a fantastic affair.

Great Britain's Joe and Jake perform their song 'You're not alone' during a dress rehearsal at the Eurovision Song Contest

Where will it be held?

After Mans Zelmerlow's thundering win at last year's Song Contest in Vienna with his song Heroes, the competition will return to Sweden for the sixth time.

Acts from 42 countries across the globe will come together at the 16,000 capacity Ericsson Globe in Stockholm to battle it out for the title.

It is the world's largest hemispherical building and it's not the first time it's been used for Eurovision - It was previously used to host in 2000.

How can you watch?

As in previous years the BBC will broadcast the marathon show on BBC One, with Graham Norton as the commentator, who took over from Terry Wogan in 2008.

Australia's Dami Im, center, celebrates when learning that she advanced to the final during the second Eurovision Song Contest semi-final

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Who is competing?

A total of 42 countries will take part in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, with eighteen facing off in the first semi-final and a further eighteen in the second.

Nineteen countries were scheduled for the second semi-final but with Romania being removed from the competition over unpaid debts, now just eighteen will compete.

As always Eurovision's Big Five will have an automatic ticket to the final, and for the second year running Australia have been invited to compete but this year they will have to fight it out for a place in the second semi final.

Who is representing the UK?

Musical duo Joe and Jake won the United Kingdom's selection process for this year's Eurovision Song Contest at the BBC's Eurovision: You Decide event.

The duo - made up of Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft - will represent the UK in Stockholm at this year's competition.

The singing pair both appeared on last year's The Voice as separate acts but have decided to team up to win it for the UK.

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How has the voting changed for this year's Eurovision Song Contest?

Under the new method of compiling votes, there may be less likelihood of acts ending up with the infamous nul points.

Voting will be split, with each country's jury vote cast first, and votes from viewers in all countries combined and announced at the end.

The juries and the public voters will award a set of points from one to eight then 10 and 12 for each of the top 10 places.

The new format means the song favoured by the public will receive 12 points, regardless of how the juries voted.

There are twice as many points to be awarded, which means a lower chance of ending up with zero points.

Organisers say this will create a more dramatic finish as the winning song will only be revealed at the end.